Balon wanted the simpler life for a reason.
"What did you want?" the counter-lady asked again.
"Ummm, I was wantin' a pound of Ordon steak!" he spouted over the noise and clamor of the market.
"Sorry, sir, I'm fresh outta steak!"
"Seriously? This early in the morn?"
"Just gave my last strip to that gentleman over there!" she pointed to the man in the bowler hat over at the turnip counter.
Balon sadly grimaced. "Well, you got any catch?"
"Ask Oma over there, she'll setcha straight, sir!" she pointed to Oma's stall as she turned to address another customer, only to tell him that she had run out of steak.
Balon thanked the counter-lady, turned about to head to Oma's counter. He tucked the newspaper under his armpit as he bent down to pick up his bag and sling it over his shoulder. He walked on over to Oma's stall, a lady with whom he had previous encounters with due to same recurrence of a lack of sufficient meat.
"Well, if it don't beat all, Mrs. Oma Gaffy!" Balon spoke warmly to her as he always did.
"Why Mr. Longee, if it ain't your kind city-slicker self!" she laughed as she exchanged a bag of rupees for a load of kippers.
"Naw, I'm spittin' a new dialect now-a-days, cantcha tell?" he spoke, still trying out his midlander accent.
"You kidding me, sirrah? You could not fool me to thinking you were trying to be an actor!" Oma joked.
"Awww, that ain't fair, ma'am, I'm still trying out this farmer's life and all, I figured you'd take pity on my false accent."
"Be lucky I am, Mr. Longee, others would just as soon tell you to assume your old self."
"Well can I assume that my rupees here are still good for trade?"
"Of course! Watcha needin', hun?"
"I'm fixing dinner tonight for my family. I figure a set of kippers for two blues?"
"Well since you have such a fine reputation with me sirrah, a five of red and one blue will serve as a discount. Call it a reputation discount!"
"You so kind t'me, ma'am, how can I repay ya?"
"By shopping with me first before goin' over to Dana Nayradori over there. She's just a youngin' with beef, and all the men love shopping with her."
"I must confess I was hopin' to get some Ordonian from her."
"Don't you have your own livestock for that kinda appetite?"
"Well I am married…"
"Nooooo," Oma laughed. "I'm talking foodwise."
Balon sighed. "…not yet."
Oma shrugged. "Well, I'm not one to say this, I'm just a merchant, but all my prospects got where they were—"
"I know, I know," Balon said. "I was just hopin' I could pull this one outta the hat on my own. I'm a learned man, I went to higher school, I daresay I can do what the layman can do to."
Oma made a chuckle, but it was short, and she looked down at the bag of kippers she was playing with all this while. "Well, uh, here're your kippers, sirrah. Your pay?"
"Oh, uh, here," and he handed over the price she determined for him. She gave a friendly nod, "Well, you have yourself a good day in the market."
"And t'ye, Mrs. Gaffy. I'll seeya next time."
"Aye."
He moved on down the line of stalls looking for more deals to spend the remainder of his disposable change on. He had gotten the majority of what Terra asked for, but he figured he might as well delve deeper into his pockets to give his family something better. Being a Longee had its perks.
Then he looked above the heads of the stalls and wagons to glance at Hyrule Gate. He figured he might as well go inside and go for something better.
Passing the gates, he acknowledged the guards respectfully even if they did not bat an eye at him, and he entered Hyrule Market. The din of the market overcame his senses as they used to in the past, and he welcomed it wonderfully.
He made his way down Harkanion Street to come across the plaza. He meandered to and fro amid the crowds, casting a loving eye on the Statue of Holiness that stood erectly from the fountain in the plaza's center. It was adorned with the Triforce and of ancient runes from past times. It reminded Balon of those histories he had to study in school, back when he was required to.
Then his mind drifted from finding presents for his family at the ranch to, well, his family here in the city. And thus he made his mind to visit them after all these months.
He followed Harkanion Street down all up to the intersection where it met with Aenevia Passing. Taking that was a shorter way as it took him to Grondil Street. His family lived in the northwestern part of town just as all other luxurious families did. It was called 'Rupee District,' even for a residential area, because a majority of the families there conducted monetary businesses in their own homes. Strange, yes, but that was how well-to-do Hylian families did. Anything to avoid the market.
Balon made it into Rupee District and then followed Grondil Street all the way to the end. It then touched Crosha Avenue and he took a right onto it. He followed it for a few blocks before stopping at a tall blue house, Number 39. His father's house.
He hesitated at first. He looked over his shoulder to glance at Hyrule Castle standing proudly in the far distance over the hills cascading the countryside between the market and the royal capitol. He had to wake up every morning and see that castle from his window. It made him upset.
Then he knocked on the door and waited. Moments passed, and the door opened to an older but refined lady, his mother Galena, in her kitchenware and cookie powder staining her lapels.
She gasped. "Oh! My— well, hello son!" and she wrapped him in her arms in a tight embrace getting powder all over his front.
"Gah— ooof, hello mum!" he choked under surprise.
She let go of him to look up into his blue eyes. "Oh, son! You have not written me for two months total, keeping me worried and hoping the wolves didn't get to you and Terra!"
"Mum, that's hardly comforting a hello."
"I know, but, that's what I've had on my plate this whole time, boy. But come! Come, your father was just about to come down for tea!" she said, dragging her son inside.
"Um," he started, closing the door behind him. "Cookies in the morn?"
"The what?" she asked as she dragged him through the family living room, still clean and adorn in the memorabilia of their family's history, and into the kitchen where the smell of sugary cookies lingered in the air. "OH! You mean morning?"
"Yes, mum, I meant morning."
"Well, today your father is going on over to Thomas Anjinu's to talk about organizing a party in Keaton Park to celebrate your uncle's promotion! Did you know your uncle got promoted? Here, have a seat! I've just made tea as well." She moved over to the counter to get a cup. The kettle sat on the archaic burner.
"Um, no, I hadn't," Balon muttered. "So that prompted cookies then?"
"Yes, I figure I'd start your father on a 'sweet' morning. Although it couldn't have started off sweeter if I say so myself—"
"Ahhh! No talk of that before your son, mum. My marriage didn't make your marriage less gross to think of."
"Well, anyway, I figure your dad could just use a big extra 'oomph' to get his day going on, since he also has to meet his boss about the downsizing."
Balon's ears perked. "Say what?"
Galena sighed as she brought the two cups of tea to the table. "Things have been stiff here in town. Your father's already seen three of his friends lose their jobs. And you know what? They weren't told why. Businesses all over town are starting to show closing signs—final closings, mind you. Maria even told me her husband bought Sweet Sister Laura's estate when that business fell under. He's going to turn that lovely bakery into a dentistry. And he's not even a licensed practitioner!"
"That's… wow, that is horrible."
"Mmm, I know I'd rather have Father Rauru look at my teeth than Coray Blennit."
"I mean the market itself. Sounds like the general economy's been bad."
"Mmmm, I daresay our King has been doing splendidly with his new deals, now that we're allied with the Gorons."
"Ahhh. So you think he's wrong?"
"Well, what do you expect? You ally with a race that once wanted to bash your face in, your people's markets will bloody well lose faith. If he had allied with the Zoras, however, we'd see more business! Ugh, our King…"
"Zoras love Hylian clothes, don't they…" he took a sip of his tea.
"Mmm…" she said, taking a sip of her own tea. "…selfish, self-loving glickers."
Balon's eye twitched at that remark. "Sooo, uh, mum? How've you been?"
"Fine," she said, still put-off from talking about current events. "Although it has been lonely without my kids to see your father and I."
"Huh? Don't Welon live a few blocks from here?"
"He does, but he doesn't visit. He says he's too busy trying to work out his wife's problems. That poor girl, she'd be better suited in a sanity house."
"Mmm. And Garsy?"
"Well, she has an excuse. She's been trying to attract the attention of a noble, you see, and, things are looking up!"
"…oh? What is this noble's name?"
"Marth of the House of Tuin. As much as she tells me, they've been dating for quite some time, now, and she's fixing him to propose to her."
"But mum, really, Garsy? She almost married that mask salesman."
"In her defense, that man could have had money."
"That man had something, but it wadn't money."
"'Wadn't?'"
Balon laughed. "Yes, mum, I said 'wadn't' and I find it amusing."
Galena shrugged, "Sure. And how is Terra?"
"Great! She's doing real great… my kids are doin' well. And you know, Torin's been a real good help to me since he moved in..."
"He couldn't come to see me as well?"
"He's back in the market last I saw. We're returning home this afternoon once I see Torin's bought the feed he promised me."
"Do you even have any livestock at this point?"
"No, but I'm working on it."
"Mmm. Met any other ranchers?"
"I want to do this on my own."
"But seriously, boy, a ranch?"
Balon put down his cup of tea. "Not this again, mum."
"You couldn't open one closer to town or, or, something other than a ranch? By Nayru, boy, you had better prospects here in the city."
"I just wanted a simpler life than the life of a city-slicker."
"But you're a Longee, and Longees live in the city. I'm not damning you for your choice, I just wish you had made a profitable one."
"I'm making profits off my horse tourneys."
"You have horses?"
"Yes'm, the best."
"…can't say I've heard any word of your ranch, really, aside from your letters. Everyone your father asks says they've never heard of it."
"I just need to make better advertising, is all."
"Sounds like you need to make advertising period." Then Galena raised her nose, smelled something, grinned, and then moved on over to the furnace. She put on her gloves and pulled out the pan, where upon it cooled off two dozen chocolate cookies made from wheat and sugar.
"They smell sweet, mother."
"As do all things in this town, my son!" boomed the voice of his father at the top of the stairs.
Galena smiled as he came into the kitchen. "Good morning to you, Mister Longee."
His father, a thin and curly-haired man of small stature waltzed into the kitchen, seeing first his wife and then kissed her. Then seeing his son next, he warmly smiled and walked to him, sweeping him into his thin arms and just barely able to wraps his arms around him.
"Woah! My boy, you are bigger than we last met!" his father Boron exclaimed, looking up into his eyes. "And taller, too!"
"Living on one's own pitchfork does that to a man, father."
"Yes, so it does! And admirable is such an effort," Boron mused. "You will have to invite me over to show me some time!"
"When you have the chance, yes I will, sir," Balon said.
Boron chuckled. Then he turned to his wife. "Cookies for the family?"
"If you wish it so, sirrah," she said as she laid the pan down on the counter, fanning the cookies with her mittens.
"As I do! Come, son, let us nibble a bit."
"Sir, I was hoping I could tag along with you on your walk to Mr. Anjinu's place."
Both parents were taken aback.
"OH, well, uh, sure!" Boron exclaimed. "Why not? Speaking of which, milady, I must be off with a handful of these."
"You should have cleaned up sooner then, I would have had you for myself a few moments at least," Galena said, mockingly sad.
Boron giggled, giving his wife a sweet kiss to the lips. "Next time, my love."
Galena grinned. "Then take 'em and go, sweetheart. And mind you, don't get your tunic messed!"
"Nay, ma'am!" he said, taking a handful of cookies with caution as they were still hot. He bade Balon to do the same as he walked to the door, who took a couple and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, mum."
"And I love you more, boy. Please keep me posted. I want the best for you. And you'll always have a place here if you need to come home."
"Yes'm. Should I need to," and then he followed his father out the door.
On their way, they spoke together.
"Mum said businesses have been closing everywhere lately. Is that true?"
Boron put on a grim face. "Just yesterday, old Barnaby let loose a few of my mates. Now, Rand has gone crazy for work, Matt gambles the rest of his money away, and Perrin's dealing in illegal fur coats."
"What kind of coats?"
Boron let an exasperated sigh. "Wolfos-skinned."
"Ooo, that is a bit dangerous."
"And illegal, too. Wolfos may be feral beasts but they're considered nearly extinct, and hunting season was over earlier this last month."
"I wonder how this affects the lower class."
"Didn't you see it on the way into the city? Now they're trying to sell their stock outside the city. People are just more scared to deal with their own kind now that things look sour for the market within the gates. That, and there have been raids along the main road between here and Calamar, so now travelers are trying to get rid of their products as swiftly as they can and to whomever goes through the gate."
"How about those high-end businesses?"
"Dangerously risky business. And worse, the city treasury is looking really bad to the people of Hyrule Market. Well, you play with people's money and lose, the people get mad."
"No runs hopefully?"
"Not yet. But give it time, and the rupees will suddenly disappear and you'll have a riot. Just like it was back in the previous war."
"Has the current war affected things much?"
"It has bolstered things a bit, but only because there are less people in the market to make demand. They're all out in the southlands fighting, or in Labrynna trying to bring in that country's market. Holodrum wants no business with us, the Gorons barely sided with us against the Nortlanders, the Zoras have their fins up a 'Death Mountain,' Alisthule and Rimendor have been fighting for the Adderlands so they don't care about us, and Calamar supplies horses and soldiers."
"Horses, you say?"
"The best."
"…so how have you been?"
"Well, like I said, business has been rough, and I need to convince my boss that I'm worth—"
"No, father. I mean… how are you, you."
Boron looked grimly at his son a second, and then smiled. "All and all, I'm doing just fine. Your brother and sister worry me, but your hard-edged mother keeps me in check. She keeps me happy. And it does my heart good to see you, Balon. Tells me things are okay at the ranch, are they?"
"…they could be better."
"Do you need money?"
"No, that's not why I'm here. I, well, actually came from the spur of the moment. I was really here just to buy supplies."
"Well, stay in town for a bit and I'll write you a promise to owe."
"No, father, I don't need it."
"But there's nothing wrong with not needing it. Say a storm breaks your barn or your windmill crashes, you'll need all the support you can get. Consider it my investment into your business, too."
"Your well-wishes were enough, father."
Boron shrugged. "If you say so. I'll mail you one anyway, and you can pay me back whenever."
"…okay."
Boron stopped. "I love you boy. I'm proud of you."
Balon stopped shortly after. "I know you're just saying that."
"Not just to say it, however."
"…aye you are."
"No, I'm not. I mean it, boy. I'm happy you did what you wanted, and not what was expected. Well, I do expect you to raise a family and keep it alive, but… it's good to follow your dreams, and to do it with such fervor. It keeps a manager happy knowing he's running his own show."
Balon smiled. "I am. I feel good for it."
"And I couldn't be prouder. Be thankful you're living the life you make. Men like you live a just life. The rest of us… well… we depend on others too much."
"Well, it sounds like that might happen to me if I can't get any business going."
"Then, accept my promise to owe, and you can use it to strike a deal: buy a cow and bull, a coup of chickens, some deer to breed for game. By Aene, use it to make some advertising. Let them know you're my son and your reputation will precede you. People will know you mean good business."
"I just might do that, then."
"As long as I can help any of my children."
"Any of them, aye."
Boron nodded. "Well, did you really want to see Anjinu or…?"
"I actually just wanted to talk with you. I won't keep you."
"Alas, I must go." He wrapped his arms around his son, chuckling at his hands not able to meet on the other side. "Boy, you really have grown into a fine man. Oh!" he reared back to look into his son's face. "When will I see little Talon?"
"I'll bring him next time. He gets so busy when I'm around, I believe he might go lazy when I'm not."
"Keep up that accent. I think it suits you well. Well, with enough practice and all…"
Balon smiled again. "Thanks, father."
"I love you son."
"I love you, father."
Boron than clapped his son on the shoulder and then began to walk away. "Say hello to Torin!"
Balon blinked. "Um… will do!" and then watched as his father disappeared into the streets.
He returned to the market and found Torin at the bazaar, trying to get a deal on a sword. Torin was thinner, more like their father, and less hair than any of the Langees. He bore a stubby nose, and his top lip pursed unnaturally as it had always been since birth. A defect, perhaps, it had rather endeared people to Torin along with his friendly nature.
"What on Aia do you need a sword for, Torin?" Balon asked as they loaded up the cart outside the city.
"Why not? Someone needs to look after the security of our booty."
"Of our what?"
"Booty! It's slang." Torin started re-harnessing the reigns on the horse.
"For what?"
"It means 'goods.' It's Gerudo slang."
"Since when did such language drift to our populace, eh?"
"Well, the war's slowing down now that the Gerudo and the Hylia are talking peace. Some of their kind have been doing trade with us since the peace talks."
"So the Nortlanders have overtaken Aster Point?"
"So say the rumors. I got that slang from Gregor Mantle at the flower shop."
"Hmm," Balon took his seat on the cart. "So you're fixin' for peace, eh?"
"Ey, peace is better than war," Torin replied as he sat next to him, taking in the reigns.
"Sure. But what'll we do with peace?"
"Well, keep it, hopefully," Torin jerked the reigns and initiated movement. Eoh their horse started dragging the cart at a good pace.
"So you wanna keep it with a sword in hand?"
"Aye! I figure I might as well put my two reds into the equation for prosperity."
"I ain't saying that's bad 'r nothin', but, you're quite the variable in my equation of prosperity for the ranch, yanno."
"Well. Yeah. I figure I'd put in more foots into the gate, if ya know what I mean."
"Not with that bad a phrasin', but, you sure got a nerve to wanna expand your assistance to the world when my world's still floppin' on the seashore like a drowning gillie."
"It'll grow, brother-mine, you just need to give that baby time. That, and you actually need to get some contracts a-goin'. You ever thought of expanding into a village?"
"The thought did cross my mind, but, who would wanna live in the middle of the countryside, so far from civilization?"
"People like you and I!"
"You put such gold in words. I'm in."
"Ahhh, but first we need some bigger business."
"Flakaflak, man! But where're we gonna get such a thing…"
"Dinnut daddy say he was gonna loan us some money?"
"Aye, but I wanna matriculate a course o' action that don't' depend on our papa."
"Oooh, you're getting better at the accent thing!"
"You think?"
"Yeah. You should grow a mustache just like daddy does."
"I've been figurin' to. Maybe that'll add in to the advertisements."
"What advertisements?"
"The ones I'll set up when I go back to town."
"You didn't before?"
"No."
"Lazy logger."
"And you're one to call me one. I dinnut see you contribute to that problem."
"I'm just the handler, you're the brains!"
"Yeah, well, a head and shoulder don't work without a neck."
"That's Terra's job."
"But I still don't feel complete."
"You'll find summit."
They had now passed farther into the midlands where the hills were more varied and also more present than the northlands in Hyrule. Trees peppered the land every now and then, but otherwise had left the land a vast expansion of grassland.
"Yep, I'll find summit."
Soon it drew to early evening and they had now come to their destination along the road. Lon Lon Ranch sat like a sore thumb in the middle of the fields, just a plain ranch with a huge fenced area, a barn, a windmill, and the ranch house. Nothing special, just a slice of heaven in the middle of paradise.
"HOME!" exclaimed Balon.
"I swear ya that'll get irritatin' to the missus."
"Don't mind you, it gets my boy excited to workin'. HOME!"
And sure enough, the barn door opened and out came little Talon, a scrawny little boy with curly brown hair and a stumpy body in overalls. He rushed on over just as Balon jumped off for him to sweep him in his arms.
"Daddy! Didja get the Ordon steaks?"
"Nep, but I gotchee some Hylian kippers!"
"Awwwwww! Didja get me something else?"
"At ease, ya boy, did you do anythin' while I was gone?"
"Sure did! I restocked the cabinets for momma, and, and, I fed the horses, and, and I let 'em run wild in the pasture—and I dinnut lose any of 'em!"
"Goood. Well, did ya keep momma happy overall?"
"Yep! You can see so yaself, sir!"
Balon paused a moment. "Awwwright. I did getcha summit." And he pulled out a bag and gave it to Talon, who revealed its contents to be the cookies he secured earlier.
"These are Gammy Galena's, aren't they?"
"Yep!"
"Aww, thankee pop!" and gave his father a big hug.
"No prob'em, boy. Now, about your studies."
"Awww, dad, what use are they when I'll be doin' this job the rest o' my life?"
"A wise man should come in the most humblest of places, the best of 'em bein' a ranch. My boy'll be the smartest rancher ever, smarter'n me, aye?"
"If you say so, pap…"
"I do. Now, you enjoy them cookies before dinner, and I won't make momma the wiser on it, ya hear?"
"Alright,"
After dinner, the family congregated in the family room of the farmhouse. While Talon mused over his studies in front of the fireplace, which were Balon's own books when he was a boy in school, Balon, Torin, Terra and the farmhand Ringo sat around the fireplace in their rockers.
"So what're you saying?" Balon asked.
"Lookee," Ringo sat with a booklet in his lap and a pen in his hand. Ringo was a tall, lean man, hairy all over the face and rather ornery in character. "We've been havin' little revenue these past months, and we still hadn't gone far on the payment. We still owe 3,000 rupees to Bailey Wooster."
"So does every other of his ranchers," Torin muttered after billowing a puff of smoke from his pipe. "Big deal, we've been paying a sum of money per month."
"At this rate, tho', we'll be lucky to see through the winter," Ringo grumbled as he flipped a page. "See here? We been losin' 30 rupees per month since Anguest last month. It's Ikanayule, and we're already hittin' our savings. You been meanin' ta use them savin's to buy a new shed for the horses."
"How are we losing so much so quickly?" Terra gasped as she cradled Elon in her arms, the babe concealed underneath a cloth draped over her shoulder.
"Lesl people to take part in the tourneys. These raids have hurt business for everyone, ma'am," Ringo shrugged.
"Ehh, in any regard, we shouldn't worry much. Daddy's promised a sum of money comin' our way, that should take care of Ikanayule and a portion of Daphnes," Torin spoke. Ringo's eyes glistened hopefully.
"I don't know…" muttered Terra.
"Me neither," said Balon.
"Neither?" gasped Ringo. "If we have that much money we can at least tide over to buy the shed."
"Forget the shed," said Balon. "We need that money to build something here."
"Hmmm. What's percolatin' there, brother?"
Balon looked down at Talon who laid on his belly, scratching his face with his stencil and thinking hard on his book. Then the rancher looked at the fire and sighed.
"I figure we should expand."
"But we got nuttin' to expand with. Even with your pappy's money we're nobodies here in the country," Ringo warned.
"I damn-well-said we have the best horses in this county and I damn-well-mean it, ya'll," Balon said, giving his armrest a gentle bump to illustrate his demeanor. Talon looked up in shock at such language, and so did everyone else.
"Well, we may not be a Calamaran settlement, but, I'll agree to a point thar, Balon," Ringo chuckled. "With the horses we're mainly a tourist attraction."
"Babe, what do you plan to do with the ranch?" asked Terra.
Balon paused, and his gaze upon the fireplace intensified as his mind pressed to resolve the conflict within his heart. For long he sought independence and to make his way, but now knew only one resolution could amend his troubles.
"Who's the closest, best rancher nearby?" asked Balon.
"Uhhh, that'd be Rancher Dane," Ringo said, in-between thoughts. Then his eyes sparkled one more. "You, uh, figurin' we say howdy in a bit?"
"I reckon I do. Torin, I'd hate to ask since I wouldn't do it myself so soon, but, could ya go back to the Market tomorrow and start putting our name in the market?"
Torin thought a moment, and then nodded. "Well, perhaps I can get that money from daddy as well."
"It can't hurt. Ringo, you and I'll go see Rancher Dane and see if we can't strike a deal."
"How we gonna do that, Balon? Promise a tourney in exchange for a cow?"
"…we'll promise him a loan to buy livestock in exchange for a few of his own. My family's wealthy, I'm certain we can so to it."
"…ooookay…" Ringo sounded unsure as he wrote a note down.
Balon looked at his wife and brother, both of whom looked worrisome. Torin focused on the smoke rings he made while Terra looked under her cloth to coo at Elon.
Balon pursed his lips, unsure himself. He looked down at Talon who looked back at him. Balon sighed.
Early the next morning, the men parted their ways. Torin returned to Hyrule Market while Ringo and Balon rode to Rancher Dane's estate. They took the main road even if it meant having to drive the long way around the county. By afternoon they had made it to Toller's Crossing, an intersection between the Royal Road and Rigyavek's Road. Taking a right, they rode it all the way to Dane's Ranch.
When they arrived, they paused to take in the site in wonder.
"Big," muttered Ringo. "And lofty."
"Yep," said Balon.
Rancher Dane's farm looked like Balon's own farmer, but larger and, well, with more animals in the fenced area. Horses, cows populated the grassland with farmhands tending to them. A herd of sheep were sectioned off in a separate pen where a few of them were being sheered by several boys. Goats meandered in the distance chewing on the wild grass. A windmill reared behind the barn.
Before the two Lon Lon Ranchers spread an expanse of crop, a whole field of pumpkins. Ordonian! My, Rancher Dane had it made!
As they passed the first farmhand, they asked him where the master of the place resided. The boy wiped the sweat from his brow as he stood from his work in the field and also wiped the dirt from his hands. "Well, he's'm over thar workin' with the chickens. Watcha needin' him far?"
"We're of the belief we got a deal for your master there, boy," said Ringo.
"Ahh. So, uh, you believe that, eh?"
"We do," both men spoke.
"I warrant ya he may not like ya. Ya look too clean to be any good a pair o' ranchers. But, say, you wouldn't happen t' be them folks over in Lon Lon Ranch, are ya?"
"What makes you say that?" asked Balon.
"Your horses are mighty fine! Where'd you get 'em, sirrah?"
"I bought them. They're a mixed breed, if you can believe it."
"Of what'n?"
"That's why I want to talk to your master."
The boy shrugged. "Aiight! Well, I wish ya luck, misters."
They trotted past the field and the pasture and made it to the barn, a large, red structure that looked newly painted, of which the barn doors were wide open. They called forth some farmhands and requested they tend to their horses, who did so out of kindness when told of their business. The two ranchers then entered the barn, the smell of feces, sweat and hay filtering into their noses. Balon accepted it sweetly, savoring its atmosphere with heart.
On both sides, rows of animals set in pens: cows and horses alike. They were of decent breed, and both ranchers were jealous at the onset. They maneuvered down until they reached the chicken pens, at which an old man was pacing and tossing feed.
The man bore a straw hat upon his head and lapels. When Balon called to him, the old man turned to face them. His eyes were old and weary, and his face was bearded.
"What're you lot?" he asked. His voice concealed a tone of bitterness, but was reserved and polite altogether.
"We're ranchers Balon and Ringo from Lon Lon Ranch just north of here. You are Rancher Dane, aye?"
"Aye, he be I," spoke the rancher with some dignity. "So, Lon Lon Ranch, you say. How is that circus doin'?"
"…circus?" Balon repeated contemptuously.
"Aye, circus, since that's the only real business ya got over thar."
"It's the best in the country, sirrah," Balon countered.
"Ooh, okay. But that clearly dun make ye a rancher, sirrah. You don't exactly stand out in that regard."
"But that's why we've com'ere," spoke Balon.
"We's wantin' to start bein' the real deal, here," said Ringo. Balon eyed him some, and Ringo bit his tongue.
"Hmm," scoffed Dane. "Soooo, the deal is you actually set up a farm by squanderin' off of me'n?"
Both men were absent worthy words.
"I'm flattered, dun gemme wrong, I just dun see this workin' when I'm bereft of business and end up firin' most o' me boys."
"Oh! Well, that would not happen if you did business with my ranch, Mr. Dane. You see, I, just like you, started off on my own."
"But I didn't have my head in fantasy. I built this ranch myself after my father died. You're just a city-boy wantin' adventure in the country."
"Aye, I'm… I'm a city-man. But that don't mean I don't appreciate the rancher."
"I'm positively touched, almost tearful, dear man. But I have a ranch that runs itself, and you depend on your fancy horses. Other than that I see no good trade."
"If you will, Dane," Balon continued. "I am wealthy and I haven't been through much. But I'm lookin' to it."
"Is you…" Dane seemed put off by that remark.
Balon chuckled. "Aye, I am. I'm tired o' workin' on someone else's money. I want to be as far as I can from the city. My advantage is my money which won't run dry. Think of it. With my investment, our farms will be the envy of the county. They'll think of the Hylian-Ordonian horses and of Dane's cows when they speak of the best farms in Hyrule. My finances will support our wealth while you're stock will improve those finances. We could be so great to attract the King."
Dane looked at Balon, his eyes narrowed on the young man. Then he looked at Ringo. He stroked the beard on his face.
"I'm sorry, but, I see nothing for me in this."
Balon's heart sank deeply. His hopes, his prayers for hope, all crushed in one instance.
Dane frowned. "I'm sorry, lad. You're on your own when I'm concerned."
Ring placed a hand on Balon's shoulder, urging him to just turn away. Balon sighed. "Well, I wish you a good day sirrah. May your crops grow well, my friend…" and then turned away.
Ringo whispered, "We'll look to someone else, Balon. Someone'll think your horses are worth it."
"Hold it, Balon," Dane spoke loudly. "Hold on a tick… I, I might be able to help you."
Balon turned about, hope rising in his heart again.
"If it'll help you, I'll let you buy a couple o' of my cattle, bull and cow. I'll even toss in a few chickens for no extra charge. 900 rupees, final offer."
Balon smiled, a weight off his shoulder. "I can do that."
Dane blinked. "Ummmmm, okay! Well, uh, I need money up front then."
Balon reached quickly into his pockets to pull out his rupee bags, three of which he untied and tossed right at Dane, who caught them belatedly and in total surprise.
"That's 750 in rupees, consider this a down payment. When I return, I'll bring the remainder and some more if you're willing to sell something."
Ringo shot a cautious glare at Balon, but he said nothing.
Dane opened the bags to examine their contents, his eyes shining at the prospect of money. He then looked at Balon. "You promise to pay the remainder?"
"Need a signature?"
"I could use another farmhand."
"Ringo would be obliged."
"Deal. I'll pay him wages until you pay the remainder."
"Deal." Balon then extended his hand in handshake. But just before Dane reached out to shake, Ringo grabbed Balon's hand.
"Woah, woah woah woah. What say do I have in this?" asked Ringo.
"It's only a few days!" said Balon. "Besides, you'll probably get better pay than I give you."
Ringo thought a moment. Then he released Balon's hand.
Dane smiled. "Your man'll have authority over my boys if it pleases him."
"It might," said Balon.
"It would," said Ringo, shooting a glare at Balon.
"Then it's agreed. How soon can I expect that deal?" asked Dane, he now spoke favorably to Balon.
"I'll have it in four days."
"Four days?" gasped Ringo.
"Isss that a problem?" asked Dane.
"No! Not at all. I just need to settle a few matters before I return. Financial. Nothing horrible."
"Ahh, good to hear!" spoke Dane.
Ringo whispered in Balon's ear: "How come I didn't get to hear of this?"
"Well, if matters are settled, then I'll be off!" Balon spoke, already starting to move away. "Who do I talk to for your stock?"
"Just talk to Dale, that's my boy workin' on the veranda of the farm! Just tell 'im I sentcha and he'll square ya away!" said Dane, waving.
"Thank you!" Balon said, waving back. "And Ringo! I'll be back!"
Ringo waved back, shaking his head meanwhilst.
At last, he was getting somewhere!
His heart pumped with joy as he drove home, leading some of Dane's stock: two cow and one bull dragging by rope to his cart while a few cages of chickens cooped in the bed. Once he hit the intersection at Royal Road and Benning Road, he figured Benning would be quicker. It wasn't the main road, but, who cared? Balon had just settled the future of his estate. He was a rich man for anyone who was concerned!
He looked at the beasts he dragged behind him. Such good animals, such good breed! He could just imagine the good they would do for him, knowing he could supply the Market with anything he could. Poultry, eggs, steak, milk—it wasn't much, but a start is better than an end!
"I'll let these animals do their business: make produce of them, and then set up a nice little stall in the market! Talon and I'll run the business ourselves while Ringo watches the ranch back home. I'll bring Terra along so that little Elon can get a taste of the city life. Who knows, maybe she'll like it!
Nayru's eye floated in the far night sky, somehow gazing down at the rancher in some form of judgment. Balon felt uncomfortable.
"... is this right? I'm not sure… I wanted to make it on my own… does this count?"
Is it right to depend on other farmers who have the same dreams?
"But that's business… meh, I shouldn't worry. I guess we all depend on—"
KRAKOW!
Balon lost all consciousness at once. His world went black.
He found himself slowly waking to a world of fire. Screams, roars, and the sound of metal clashing against itself reverberated in his mind as if from a distant dream. The heat of the fire burned him for he was right near it.
He heard the cries of his cattle and the panic in his poultry. His horse Eoh was on the ground in flames just feet away from him.
He tried moving his legs, but he could not feel them. His eyes fell upon his hand, which was charred and burnt to a crisp. He could feel nothing but pain in his head.
Then he managed to roll his head over, and lo! his eyes fell upon a sight of war. To his disbelief, whether it was real or not, he saw a woman in exotic hues of violet and red, her face garmented, squaring off in mortal combat with something out of a nightmare.
It was a man, or what used to be a man in a previous life. Its body was no more than the remains of its person, a stalking skeleton in armor and regalia, a broadsword in its thin hands, somehow supported by some strength in its structure. In its empty sockets glared a yellow hue of some demonic force.
Then there was more! As if his eyes deceived him further, there were other creatures than these exotic women warriors and the undead. He swore he saw the figure of a giant lizard in battle gear, its tail at which's end a silver axe swung about.
Whatever had happened to Balon was unknown to him. But he laid there, dying within the flames of his growing enterprise. Sleep soon took over, and he woke no more from his slumber.
"Talon…" he uttered as his breath escaped.